Humidifying apparatus



J1me 1951 H. R. OLTZ 2,558,691

HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS Filed April 14, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 26, 1951 H. R. OLTZ HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 14, 1947 0 0 0 0 0 0 0n0u0n0n0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n M 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 I a v h i Patented June 26, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS Howard B. Oltz, Hammond, Ind.

Application April 14, 1947, Serial No. 741,314

1 Claim. 1

My invention relates to humidifying apparatus and in particular to a novel type of such apparatus which is adapted to be installed upon the conventional heating radiator in a manner so as to utilize the heating fluid or medium for humidification purposes.

In many prior art humidifying apparatus installations it is necessary to add to the ordinary heating system a complicated arrangement of valves, control circuits and connections to a water supply system to obtain the moisture necessary to maintain a desired humidity condition. With the apparatus of the present invention most of this equipment is unnecessary and a simple, inexpensive installation canbe effected on a radiator either in a hot water system or in a steam system.

It is, therefore, the principal object of my invention to provide a simple, effective, efficient and inexpensive humidifying apparatus which utilizes either hot water or steam from the radiator to which the apparatus is attached for humidifying the air in a room or other space.

A second object is to provide an improved humidifying apparatus which is easily installed upon existing heating equipment.

Another object is to provide an improved humidifying apparatus which needs no extra water supply pipes or valves as was generally the case with the prior art humidifiers.

A further object is to provide an improved humidifying apparatus which is rapid in its response to the demands for humidification in the space being heated.

Still a further object is to provide an improved humidiiying apparatus having a minimum number of parts which are simple in construction and are easily maintained in operating condition.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a conventional hot water radiator, showing my improved humidifying apparatus installedthereon;

Fig. 2 is a large scale medial longitudinal sectional view of the humidifier shown in Fig. 1 and may be considered as being taken generally along the line 2-2 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows, and with some parts being shown in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, with the cover removed, and may be considered as being taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a typical simple wiring diagram of the electrical connections which may be used with the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 3;

Fig. 5 is a medial longitudinal view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modified form of apparatus for use with a steam radiator;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing another modified form of my humidi'fying apparatus for use with a steam radiator; and

Fig. 7 is a typical simple wiring diagram of the electrical connections which may be used in installing the apparatus of either Fig. 5 or Fig. 6.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 4, my improved humidifying apparatus indicated generally by the reference character H1 is shown mounted on a conventional hot water radiator l2 having the usual hot water supply pipes connected to a central unit (not shown).

The humidifying apparatus It includes a casting or casing l4 forming a container 16 having a bottom wall [5 integral with a cylindrical side wall I l and having an open top [8. The casting I4 is formed with a radial extension or nipple 20 adj acent the bottom wall l5 which is threaded at 22 so that it may be screwed into a tapped opening 24 in the radiator l2. The humidifier I0 is thus mounted on the radiator. The casting or casing M which forms the container may be made from any one of a number of suitable metals or, if desired, it can be molded from a plastic material. The choice of materials is not critical, and I do not desire to be limited to any particular material.

The container I6 is provided with an internal boss 26 adjacent the projection 20 and integral with the wall IT. The boss is drilled or bored vertically at 28, and a plug 38 closes the lower end of the bore 28. A cross bore 32 through the nipple 29 connects the bore 28 with the interior of the radiator 12. At its upper end the bore 28 communicates with a bore or port 34 of substantially smaller cross sectional area which is countersunk at 36 to form a valve seat. The bores 32, 28 and 34 form a passageway connecting the interior of the radiator l2 with the interior of the container 16.

A valve 38 is adapted to close the passageway and seat in the valve seat 36 when the level of the water in the container 16 is at a predetermined height. A float 4i! biasing the valve 38 toward closed position is connected to the valve 38 by a lever arm 42 which is pivoted intermein place by a cotter pin 48. This construction is simple and permits the ready removal of the valve 38 and fioat 48 for any desired cleaning of the container I6.

An electrical heating element 56 of cylindrical shape and of conventional construction is placed in the bottom of the container I6 and is connected to the source of electric power through a cable 52. At one end the cable 52 has a plug 54 which is removably connected to a complementary socket (not shown) mounted in a boss 56 formed on the outer face of the bottom wall I5 of the container I6. The cable 52 comprises a pair of conductors 58 and 69.

The conductor 58 is connected to one terminal of a humidostat or a humidity responsive device 62 which has its other terminal connected to one side 64 of a 110-115 volt source of alternating current or other suitable source of electric power. The conductor 68 is connected to one terminal of a switch 66 which has its second terminal connected to the other side 68 of the 110-115 volt line. The humidostat 62 is preferably of the type which incorporates a switch which will be closed if the humidity in the space being heated or in the space surrounding the humidostat falls below a predetermined relative value. This humidostat is also preferably of the type which may be set or regulated to be responsive to different relative humidities. The switch 66 is closed manually and if desired may be closed as an incident to the turning on of the radiator I2.

My improved humidifying apparatus operates in the following manner. The radiator is turned on and the switch 66 closed to condition the circuit for energization of the heating element 50. The container I6 is filled with water to approximately the level indicated in Fig. 2 by the water from the interior of the radiator. If the water in the container I6 initially is below or falls below the predetermined level, the float 4U descends (Fig. 2) raising the valve 36 from the Valve seat 36 toopen the outer end of the passageway connecting the interior of the radiator and the container I6. As the heating system is under a low pressure, the water flows from the radiator through the passageway and into the container I6 until the float 40 rises to close the valve 38.

The hot water from the radiator will evaporate from the container I6 at a relatively slow rate unless the heating element 56 has been energized. If the humidity in the room falls below the predetermined relative value the humidostat 62 closes the circuit to the element 56. This closed circuit is line 64, humidostat 62, line 58, connecting plug 54, heating element 55, connecting plug 54, line 68, switch 66 and line 68. The heating element will raise the temperature of the water in the container I6 and will boil it away. The steam driven into the room or space raises the relative humidity of the air therein.

As the water boils away the liquid level in the container I6 falls and the supply of water is replenished through the passage controlled by the valve 38. In this way relatively hot water is constantly supplied to the container I5 and is quickly converted into steam to be passed into the room to raise the relative humidity. Since the moisture used for the purpose of raising the humidity is steam, it assists in heating the space or room, and no heat losses are encountered in this apparatus. A screen cover 'ID of a non-rusting material such as copper is placed over the container opening I8 to prevent the splattering of hot water from the container I6 while the water is being boiled away by the heating element 58.

Should the radiator be turned off, it is advisable that the circuit to the heating element 50 be broken by opening the switch 66 so that the heating element will not be inadvertently energized by the humidostat 62 to boil away all of the water in the container I6 and thereby possibly burn out the element 58.

In Figs. 5, 6 and '7, I have shown modifications of the apparatus for use in connection with a steam radiator. Fig. 5 illustrates my humidifying apparatus mounted on a steam radiator I2 by means of an elbow fitting i4 having a fluid passage therethrough and provided with external threads l6 at its upper end. A generally cylindrical housing I8 having complementary threads 88 is threaded onto the upper end of the elbow l4 and is provided with an internal shoulder 82 which looks a dividing wall 84 between the outer end 86 of the elbow I4 and housing 18. The wall 84 is formed with a circular shoulder 88 engaging the elbow 74 accurately to position the wall 84 and so that a substantially fluid-tight seal is made between the wall 84 and the elbow M. The wall 84 has a central aperture or port 98 communicating with a tapered valve seat 62 in which is seated a normally closed valve 94 formed at the lower end of a plunger 96.

Spaced Vertically from the wall 84 is a second wall or plate 98 which is centrally apertured and is seated against a shoulder I88 formed in the cylindrical housing I8. The plate 98 cooperates with a similar plate I82 to form a support for a solenoid winding I04. Plates 98 and I82 are connected by a tube I86 which is peened or deformed at its extremities to secure the winding I84, plates I82, 98 and tube I86 into a unit. The interior of the tube I86 forms a slideway or guideway for the movable armature or plunger 96. The winding I84 is enclosed by a jacket I88 of an insulating and waterproofing material to insulate the Winding from the other parts of the apparatus and to prevent any leakage of moisture into the coil. A suitable cap I II] is threaded onto the upper end of the cylindrical housing 78 and has an interior boss II2 pressing on the upper side of the plate I 62 to hold the solenoid winding securely in place in the housing with the plate or wall 88 seated firmly on the boss I00.

Suitable conductors H4 and H6 are connected to the solenoid winding or coil I84 and pass through an opening H8 in the housing I8, being protected and insulated therefrom by an insulating ferrule I28.

The valve 94 is formed with a shoulder or seat H2, and a coil spring H3 is confined between the shoulder H2 and the lower end of the tube 586 to urge the valve 94 downwardly toward closed position.

The cylindrical wall of the housing I8 is provided with a plurality of radially and angularly disposed openings or slots I22 located between the shoulders 82 and I for the passage of steam through the housing and into the space to be humidified.

The conductor H4 is connected to one end of the solenoid winding I04 and to one terminal of a switch I24 similar to the switch 66. The other terminal of the switch I24 is connected to one pole of a battery or other suitable source of electric current I26 by a conductor I21. The conductor I I6 connects the other end of the solenoid winding I04 to one terminal of the humidostat 62, the other terminal of which is connected by a conductor I28 to the other pole of the battery I26. The humidostat 62 may be similar to that described with reference to the disclosure of Figs. 1 to 4. While I have shown a battery for the source of electrical power it is to be understood that any suitable source may be used.

The humidifying apparatus of Figs. 5 and 7 operates in the following manner: The radiator is turned on and the switch I24 is closed either independently or as an incident to the turning on of the radiator to condition the control circuit for the operation of the valve 94. The elbow I4 is in communication with the interior of the steam radiator 12 and is, therefore, filled with steam. The humidostat 62, responding to a lowered humidity condition in the space, closes the circuit to the solenoid winding I04; this circuit is battery I26, conductor I28, humidostat 62, conductor II6, solenoid winding I04, conductor II4, switch I24, conductor I21 and battery I26. When the solenoid winding I04 is energized it moves the armature 96 upwardly against the pressure exerted by the spring II3, thereby moving the valve 94 away from the valve seat 92. The interior of the radiator I2 is in communication with the room being heated through the elbow I4, port 90, housing I8 and slots I22. Steam, therefore, passes from the interior of the radiator under the operating pressure of the heating system into the room, thereby raising the relative humidity of the air or atmosphere. When the relative humidity has been raised to the desired predetermined level the humidostat 62 breaks the circuit to the coil I04 and the spring II3 immediately shuts the valve 94. The spring H3 is of sufiicient strength to overcome the small amount of pressure which is exerted against the valve 94 by the steam entering the housing 18 through the port 90.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 6 is a modification of that shown in Fig. 5 and similar reference characters indicate similar parts. In the apparatus of Fig. 6 an elbow I30 is connected to a radiator I2 and is threaded externally at I32 adjacent its upper end. Spaced downwardly from its upper edge I34 and adjacent the bend, the elbow is formed with an integral dividing wall I36 corresponding to the wall 84. Upstanding from the wall I36 is a cylindrical wall I38 which forms the housing which was formed by the wall I8 in the modification of Fig. 5. The dividing wall I36 is provided with a central port I40 communicating with a valve seat I42 which cooperates with a normally closed valve I44. The valve I44 has a valve stem I 46,provided with a threaded bore I48 at its upper end.

The solenoid winding I04 is confined between the pair of plates I02 and 98 joined by the hollow tube I06 which forms the guideway for an armature I50. At its lower end the armature I50 has an integral screw part I52 which is threaded into the bore I 48. A corrugated flexible diaphragm I54 having a central aperture I56 is confined between the shoulders provided by the armature I50 and the valve stem I46. At its periphery I58 the corrugated diaphragm is flat and is confined between the upper face I34 of the wall I 38 and an internal shoulder I60 formed in a cap I62 and a cylindrical flange I64 of the plate 98. The diaphragm I54 is flexed to bias the valve stem I46 downwardly to maintain the valve I44 in normally closed position.

The cap I62 has an internal thread I66 which cooperates with the threads I32 0n the upper end of the elbow I30. The cap I62 is substantially deeper than the cap I I0 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 and houses the solenoid coil I04; it is provided with the internal boss I I2 to position the winding I04 in the apparatus. It also has an opening I68 through which the conductors H6 and I I4 pass.

The steam passes from the interior of the housing formed by the Wall I38 through suitable radially and angularly disposed openings or slots I10.

The apparatus of Fig. 6- operates in substantially the same manner as that in Fig. 5 and the control circuit illustrated in Fig. 7 may be used, the only difference being that the flexible diaphragm biases the valve toward closed position.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that I have invented a simple and highly efficient humidifying apparatus which attains all of the stated objectives claimed for it. It is also clear that it is rapid and positive in its operation.

While I have illustrated three modifications of my invention and two different control circuits, it will be apparent to those skilled in the heating and ventilating art that changes and further modifications can be made in my improved humidifying apparatus without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Therefore, I desire to be limited only by the appended claim.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

A humidifying apparatus for use with a radiator of the hot water type comprising a container, means for mounting said container on the radiator, a passage extending through said mounting means and connecting the interior of the radiator with the interior of said container so that the radiator supplies the water for humidification, the outlet from said passageway being adjacent the top of said container, a valve controlling the flow of water from the radiator, float means operatively connected to said valve for opening or closing said valve, an electric heating element in said container for accelerating the rate of evaporation of the water therefrom, said heating element being located at the bottom of said container so as to be entirely below the level of the water therein, a humidostat responsive to the humidity conditions in the surrounding atmosphere, an electric circuit including said humidostat for energizing said heating element, and terminal means in the bottom of said container for connecting said heating element into said electric circuit.

HOWARD R. OLTZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,154,113 I-Iadaway Sept. 21, 1915 1,464,110 Ramsey Aug. '7, 1923 1,570,184: Ramsburg Jan. 19, 1926 1,812,131 Bock June 30, 1931 2,164,083 Reid June 27, 1939 

